San Diegans can do a lot for Fundación Castro-Limón.

These three children have in common facing the terrible disease that is cancer. They all come from low-income families, too. None of them had medical insurance.

But the three of them also share the hope that gives Fundación Castro-Limón, a non-profit in Tijuana that offers free integral support for children with cancer in Baja California.

A few weeks ago, the foundation began its annual fundraiser campaign called “Para continuar mi vida deposita una moneda” (“To continue my life please deposit a coin”) that tries to contribute to the treatment of the children that are currently receiving cancer treatment.

And during the three years since it was founded, Fundación Castro-Limón has survived thanks to donations from businesses and individuals in order to give integral treatment to some 50 children with cancer from all over the state, said Delia Avila, the organization’s institutional relations coordinator.

“Our mission is to give a hope of life to children with cancer,” she said.

Children admitted to the program for their treatment must be from disadvantage backgrounds, must not have received treatment before, and must not have health insurance, she said.

“Integral treatment includes everything: From analyses and tests to companionship and social work,” Avila said. “We try to increase the quality of life for these children.”

The Other SideBy Dennis RomeroEditor’s Note: The writer has received a New America Media Ethnic Media Award for 2006 for his feature story profiling Latinos opposed to illegal immigration, reprinted here. NAM recognized outstanding ethnic media reporters this week in Washington, D.C.

Resistance and Repression in OaxacaBy Luis Hernández NavarroA profound political crisis is shaking up Mexico. The rules that regulate the balance of power between elites have been violated. From above, there is no agreement or any possibility for one in the short term.

Stories

Caught In The Housing BubbleBy Jennifer WhearyToward the end of October, the Federal Reserve Board finally took a break after steadily raising interest rates for the last two years. Yet mortgaged homeowners haven’t had a chance to catch their breath. In October, new home prices took their biggest plunge in 35 years, according to the Commerce Department. If that wasn’t enough to give home-owners pause, the National Association of Realtors also said last month that we’ve hit the sharpest year-over-year drop on record for the median sale price of existing homes.

Hispanic MBA’s announce The chapter’s Second Annual Gala “Empowering the Leaders of Tomorrow”The San Diego Chapter of the National Society of Hispanic MBA’s announces its Second Annual Scholarship and Partners Gala, to be held at the Wyndham San Diego at Emerald Plaza, on December 2nd, 2006 from 6:00 p.m. to Midnight. NSHMBA-San Diego celebrates scholars Maria Gonzalez, Robert Paz, Phillip Goldstein, Juanita Penagos, Nivalda Rodrigues-Pinguet and Marcos Santos-Rivera who together received approximately $25,000 from NSHMBA in 2006.

Become a helping hand during the HolidaysBy Pablo Jaime Sainz
Tis the season of giving, and in San Diego County there are many Latino children and families that, due to economic hardships, won’t be able to have a Christmas dinner or won’t receive a new toy as a gift.

A feast remains feasible  even at the last minute!By Caroline E. Ruse
For those who caught Thanksgiving fever a little late say, the morning of the big day it’s not too late to prepare a (nearly) homemade feast. Experts in entertaining offer tips to tweak tradition and cut corners, so that even turkey procrastinators can rest easy.

Avoiding the Annual Holiday Gain
It’s that time of year again ~ yep, time to gain weight! But according to Director of the Center for the Treatment of Obesity at UCSD Medical Center, Santiago Horgan, M.D., with a little planning and effort, people can avoid this annual holiday tradition that destroys good eating habits and challenges well-toned physiques.

Editorials

Editorial:A Blessed and Joyous Thanksgiving Celebration Day to All Our Readers of La Prensa San DiegoThroughout the year, we have given thanks for the many wonderful things that we have been blessed to have received in our life. This year was no exception. We were thankful that when our offices were broken into and every computer and electronic device was stolen we were able to get back on our feet and not miss a deadline. The paper was out that Friday, as it has been every Friday!

Commentary:A School Leader with the Soul of a PlaywrightBy Ernie McCrayAh, it’s so refreshing having a man like Carl Cohn as head of our schools. A while back two dear friends of mine from the Playwrights Project and I met with him regarding restoring the levels of involvement we once enjoyed in San Diego City Schools.

¡ Tic Tac Tiempo !
The monthly Chicano Park Steering Committee meeting is Sunday, November 26, at 3 p.m. Paradise Senior Center (1880 Logan Ave, west of Chicano Park). This 36 year-old committee is a grassroots organization comprised of volunteers who work towards the development and expansion of Chicano Park and the park’s annual celebration. If you’re down for this historic piece of nuestra tierra, come see how you can play a role in its survival. Meetings are every last Sunday of the month. For more info, visit them on the web at http://calacapress.com/cpsc/cpscwhatisthe.html

Voices of the Future Hear Echoes From the PastChildren Call on Their Imagination and Seniors Recall, Leaving a Written Legacy.
Los Bilingual Writers announces the publication of Los Bilingual Writers Anthology Book I written by Los Jóvenes (ages from 10-14), Los Abuelitos and Los Escritores, which include poems, prose, and book excerpts. The release will be held at the literary event Voces y Recuerdos Wednesday, December 6, 2006 at Our Lady of Angels Parish Hall 635 22nd Street, San Diego, CA 92102. Registration begins at 5:30 pm.

Downtown Comes Alive for the Holidays
The Third Annual Downtown for the Holidays program kicks off the holiday season with events, decorations, fun and excitement. Beginning November 16 with the opening of the Ice Rink in Horton Square and continuing with events and activities scheduled throughout December, downtown San Diego is a great place to come and enjoy the entire holiday season.

Ledesma Twins Have Hernandez Seeing DoubleBy John Philip Wyllie
Castle Park Cross Country coach, Hector Hernandez has been seeing double a lot lately, but that is understandable since a pair of identical twins is leading his fleet-footed league co-champion Trojan team.

Correspondent Gary Sloan Has Close CallBullfight World by Lyn SherwoodStanding in the callejón is sometimes a very dangerous thing to do. Some bulls like to jump over the barrera, and anybody who in their way, as they traverse the callejón, is fair game. That includes bullfight photographers, whose works fail to impress rampaging bulls.